Comments can be written but are only visible after I have checked them: these pages are not forums for political debate - nor to just let the world know you exist!

I still do not manage to integrate the many pictures of Istanbul that I have. But I decided to use one gallery to show typical Bosporus ferry ride pictures. I started with a March 2006 trip: the weather was poor, rather cold and with a lot of rain. So the pictures of this boat ride, starting at Eminönü and all the way up to where the Bosporus meets the Black Sea, and back again, are not as sunny as I would have liked. Still, they may provide a glimpse of the beauty of the ride itself and the buildings on either side (most are on the European side in this series, partly because the boat sticks closer to that side for most of the ride).I identified some of the sights, and was greatly helped by a mail by one of my viewers who helped me fill in almost all holes. Thanks, Sabahattin! In June 2009 I added pictures from some other rides on the Bosporus, mainly from Harem to Eminönü, some from a ride to Üsküdar.

Thanks for the great pictures and for all the comments, it is very helpfull to know better about this wonderful country. I was in Turkey in 2012, I´m planing to return this year, and your pictures and comments are helping me a lot. Congratulations !!! Michelle from Brazil

Guest

03-Aug-2011 21:00

Cees

Dick fully agree with your feelings about Istanbul. I experienced it as one big melting pot of European and Asian culture. I noticed the immense difference between the continents and the inhabitants. For me for sure a place to return to for a long visit. Great pictures.

Nora Abdul halim

30-Jan-2011 01:08

I've been to Turkiye,,,just recently,,(December 10th - 17th, 2010)..the best place so far that i've ever been to,,will never forget that wonderful Turkiye,,,it's been a month and a half since we last left the country..we all (family members) are still feeling the missing effects of it,,,what we call the "Turkiye Fever",,,God's willing..we'll come back again in December,, looking forward for the Hot-Air Balloon Ride,,due to bad weather in the last tour,,,our ride had to be called off,,,Seni Seviyourum,,Turkyiyee..

Guest

15-Sep-2010 12:01

Thank you for taking all the photos I never did. What a beautiful web site!

Colin

04-Feb-2010 09:08

going to Turkey in May this year and these photos have helped a lot
so glad you keep it just for pix. let do a facebook if they want to make other comments

First let me ask you: how do you know you exist? If so, why should others be bothered by that fact? Lastly: there are plenty of outlets for political opinion, I found the hard way that people whom I let express themselves on this site tend to become threatening (to me, or to others). Since I just want to show pictures (thus showing I do exist in the bargain): why should I help you prove your existence and be bothered?

I hope you'll get over this.

Insignificant One

22-Aug-2009 17:27

I would like to engage in political debate so people know I exist. Where should I post if you won't allow me to leave messages here?!?

If you want to use pictures as an inspiration for a painting, feel free to do so. Maybe you can send me a copy of the result?

Thanks again,

Dick

Guest

18-Feb-2008 21:39

What a great Photographer are you Mr. Osseman.THANK YOU!
For all your time and dedication and THANK you for sharing with us.
I loved everyone of them, basically went to visit my COUNTRY to TURKIYE, becouse of your lovely photos.
I WOULD LIKE TO USE OF THEM WHEN I PAINT. [if you give me permission of course]

yucel atac

16-Nov-2007 12:01

Lovely Beste My name is Yücel Ataç I just came to Istanbul from US and my wife is American who will come here next summer meanwhile I would like to meet Americans living in Istanbul.How can I contact with American society here?Anybody can help me there?Thank you.05363285704

Tuncay

06-Oct-2007 03:18

Dear Obbseman,
What a great work! Amazing! Thanks and congratulations!
Tuncay

Berk Koprulu

26-May-2007 19:22

I love all of your photos. You have captured the real Turkey and Turkish people. Thanks

bahadır

26-May-2007 06:40

Hi,
This is the most beautiful web site I've ever seen.I've never been to Ýstanbul but I want to go there in a short time.All of the photos are extremely nice.I haven't known Dick Osseman.After I knew him I thought "he is a valuable person". Although he is from Holland, he took his photos in Turkey. I think this is a good choice. Thanks for this photos. Congratulations Dick Osseman.

beste

17-Oct-2006 17:51

Hi,

I am honored to see this lovely web site put together by Mr. Osseman, and being married to an American myself, i am used to "trying to" see my country and especially Istanbul (which is where i am from) through other people's eyes. I must except it is not easy, to understand the dinamics of Istanbul which melds modern and old, eastern and western, urban and rural into one city. I read most of the comments here, some think you should have shown more of the modern life styles of Istanbul, where the others think it is a complex to always try to cover the rural and eastern culture of the city by doing so. One thing to be remembered here is that there are many people who get their culture through cigarette packages (such as camel-fine Turkish tobacco) and think Turkey is a big dessert with camels all around it. We all know that a movie, a commercial, or a few photos on internet are enough for some people to have a strong opinion toward a whole culture. And that is why there is some disturbance to why you didn't also show our beaches with topless girls, night clubs, luxurious (and sometimes overpriced!!) restaurants or cafes..

I see that it was mostly Istanbulers bothered by the covered woman shopping from a Bazaar, or Arabic looking guys with furious faces wandering around the steerts. Born and grown up in Istanbul, in a very modern family, some parts of istanbul like Fatih and Eyup are not the most pleasant ones to me either, my Istanbul is Bosphorus, Taksim, Kadikoy, Moda, Nisantasi, Macka, Harbiye, Sultanahmet, Sarayburnu ect.. I have seen the different faces of my city from my husband, and went through te same psycologycal conflicts some people did here. All i can say is it takes a little open mindedness and tolerence. Well, I think all of this is because Istanbul is too beautiful to be shared and we get pretty jealous of it when it is not shown the way we want to see it. But I learned the fact that the world does not belong to anyone but everyone, Istanbul and Turkey is yours as much as it is ours. And being 5000 km away from home right now, i feel comfort in knowing that even though I am far away from my own culture, i can embrace and adopt all the cultures of the world with respect and an open mind. Personally I think you have done a very fair and good job. Congradulations.

musa

25-Jul-2006 14:47

I have never seen such a comprehensive site about scenes.I would like thank for your geat effort.Turrkey is a great country but most of the people around the world don't aware of this beautiful country.Your effort undoubtly will contribute to this awareness.

guest

30-Jun-2006 16:58

Dear Sir;
You are very successful, I can not find any word to tell your effort. I saw some pictures that I have not seen before although I live in Istanbul. Thank you for everything.

Osman S. Ayyuce

17-May-2006 09:06

Dear Mr. Osseman
Your name rhymes with mine, Osman, and I see you as a brother in a faraway country as I live in Australia for the last 32 years. Before I migrated to this country I travelled a lot in Turkey but I must confess that it never occurred to me to take pictures. I congratulate you with all my heart and I must admit that I envy you, my Dear Brother. Best wishes from Australia\ from a Turk .

Ike

22-Apr-2006 06:58

I have never seen so many Great pictures of my Home Land, TURKIYE all together in one location. We appreciate your efforts.